יְמִינִי (ye.mi.ni)
ye.mi.ni
right; [Ben]jaminite; right: south
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word yemini functions primarily as an adjective meaning "right" or "on the right side." In biblical geography and description, it often denotes direction toward the south, reflecting the ancient custom of facing east where the right hand points southward. This directional sense appears in texts describing territories or positions relative to a landmark.
More significantly, yemini serves as a gentilic adjective identifying someone from the tribe of Benjamin. The sources note that this form is closely related to the name Yamin, an alternative spelling for Benjamin found in passages like 1 Samuel 9:1 and 22:7. When used this way, it distinguishes individuals by their tribal lineage rather than just their physical location.
The word’s dual usage highlights how Hebrew often links physical orientation with identity. Just as the right hand was associated with strength and favor in ancient culture, belonging to the "right" tribe carried specific social and historical weight for Israelite readers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word yemini connects us to two distinct ideas: direction and identity. In ancient Israel, facing east meant the right side pointed south, so this term often marked geographical boundaries. It also serves as a specific label for someone from the tribe of Benjamin, linking individuals to their ancestral roots.
This dual meaning reminds us that our origins matter. Being called a Benjamite was not just about location; it carried historical weight and social standing. For readers today, it highlights how God uses specific lineages and places to shape history and reveal His purposes through ordinary people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a Jaminite1×
- [the] Jaminite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְמִינִ֖י1×
- יְמִינִ֑י1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 9:1
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor.
This verse uses the term to identify Kish’s lineage, establishing Saul’s family background as a key part of the narrative's foundation.
-
I Samuel 9:4
He passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they didn’t find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they weren’t there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn’t find them.
Here the word describes the territory of the Benjamites, showing how tribal identity was tied to specific land boundaries in Israel.